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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: November 20, 2012 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 5-1 <br /> SUBJECT: Buckhorn Mebane Utilities Phase 2 Project Easements <br /> DEPARTMENT: Planning PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) NO <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Map Showing Scope of Project as Craig Benedict, Planning Director, 245- <br /> Approved 2592 <br /> Kevin Lindley, PE, Staff Engineer, 245- <br /> 2583 <br /> John Roberts, County Attorney, 245-2318 <br /> PURPOSE: To consider authorizing County Staff to accept and acquire the private easements <br /> required to construct and maintain the Buckhorn Mebane Utilities Phase 2 Project by <br /> negotiation, purchase or other legal means, if necessary. <br /> BACKGROUND: The County has recently received bids and approved a contract for the <br /> construction of the Buckhorn Mebane Utilities Phase 2 Project. The County has obtained all <br /> permits, except for the Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Water Quality permit, which is <br /> pending. Consistent with this phase of the project, easements must be finalized for the water <br /> and sewer lines that need to be installed now that the State has primarily approved the <br /> alignment. <br /> Orange County staff has contacted each property owner from whom easements are needed by <br /> letter to let them know why the County needs the easement, where the easement will be <br /> located on their property, how much the County is offering them for the easement and the value <br /> of the infrastructure being installed on their property. Over the last two months, County staff <br /> has been answering any questions property owners have and negotiating for voluntary <br /> acquisition of the needed easements. Many property owners are in favor of the project and <br /> several have already granted the easements. However, it is anticipated that approximately one- <br /> fourth of the 42 necessary easements may need to be processed through legal acquisition <br /> proceedings. <br /> It is important to note that the easements are for temporary construction and later, maintenance <br /> access to the water and sewer lines. The easements do not take up the entire property, initially <br /> allowing the County's contractor the right to construct the line and ultimately providing the City <br /> of Mebane the right to enter and maintain the water and sewer lines. All areas disturbed during <br /> construction will be reseeded and vegetation re-established once construction in that area is <br /> complete. The attached map shows the entire project area and scope. In general, there will be <br />